An Interactive PowerPoint presentation about the life cycle of a mealworm!

An Interactive PowerPoint presentation about the life cycle of a mealworm!

What is a Mealworm? Life Cycle of a Mealworm Diagram Life Cycle Information The Egg The Larva (the mealworm) The Pupa The Adult Darkling Beetle The Darkling Beetle is an Insect Feeding Your Larva and Adults Mealworm and Darkling Beetle Care

The mealworm is NOT a worm. It is the larval stage, or grub, of the yellow mealworm beetle, also called the darkling beetle. Although the grub looks a bit like a worm, the mealworm has six small, jointed legs. Both the larva and the beetle are nocturnal, or active at night, but they are also active during the day. These larvae are what hatch out of the eggs. They grow a tremendous amount at this stage of their life cycle.

Egg Larva (mealworm) Adult (darkling beetle) Pupa

The mealworm goes through a complete metamorphosis. The female darkling beetle lays hundreds of white, oval shaped eggs which hatch into tiny mealworms (the larval stage). It takes from 4-19 days for the eggs to hatch. Each mealworm eats a huge amount of food, shedding its exoskeleton many times as it grows. These mealworms then enter the pupa stage. During this stage (which lasts 2-3 weeks indoors), the pupa does not eat and seems very inactive. It is transforming itself into an adult darkling beetle at this stage. Eventually, a white darkling beetle will emerge from the pupa. It will turn brown, then almost black. The adult lives for a few months. The entire life cycle takes about a year to complete.

The female darkling beetle lays hundreds of white, oval shaped eggs which hatch into tiny mealworms (the larval stage). It takes from 4-19 days for the eggs to hatch. The eggs are tiny, white and bean shaped. They are about 2mm long. They are very small, about the size of the period at the end of this sentence. The female darkling beetle can lay up to 500 eggs during her adulthood. Where do you think the female lays her eggs? Why?

The mealworm is the larval stage of the darkling beetle. Each mealworm eats a huge amount of food, shedding its exoskeleton many times as it grows. The mealworms are golden yellow in color with brown bands and they have 12 body segments. These larva have six legs toward the front of the body and two antennae. Gently handle the mealworm. Can you describe the mealworm in as much detail as possible?

Gently remove a mealworm from the container with a plastic spoon and lay it on a dry paper towel. Observe the mealworm carefully and answer the following questions: What does it look like? How does it move? How does it react when you gently touch different areas of its body? What happens when it comes in contact with another mealworm? Does it have any interest in eating a piece of apple?

During the pupa stage, the mealworm goes through a tremendous transformation. The pupa stage which lasts 2-3 weeks indoors, but can last up to nine months if it occurs over winter in colder temperatures outside. The pupa does not eat and seems very inactive. It is transforming itself into an adult darkling beetle at this stage. The pupa may twitch slightly if it is disturbed. The pupa is creamy white in color with a pointed tail and a large, rounded head. What do you think is happening inside the pupa during this stage? Write a description.

Gently remove a pupa from the container with a plastic spoon and lay it on a dry paper towel. Observe the pupa carefully and answer the following questions: What does it look like? Does it move? How does it react when you gently touch different areas of its body? Can you identify any body parts on the outside of the pupa? What do you think is happening inside the pupa?

Eventually, a white darkling beetle will emerge from the pupa. It will turn brown, then almost black. The adult lives for a few months. The darkling beetle will eat decaying vegetation and grains. It will mate and then continue the life cycle by laying more eggs. Why do you think they prefer a dark, cool place as a habitat once they are adults?

Gently remove a darkling beetle from the container with a plastic spoon and lay it on a dry paper towel. Observe the darkling beetle carefully and answer the following questions: What does it look like? How does it move? How does it react when you gently touch different areas of its body? What happens when it comes in contact with another darkling beetle? Does it have any interest in eating a piece of apple?

The darkling beetle is an insect. Like all insects, it has: six jointed legs a hard exoskeleton two antennae two compound eyes a body divided into three parts: the head, thorax, & abdomen Can you locate the parts of an insect?

The mealworms and darkling beetles are considered to be scavengers and pests. Both the larva and the adult eat grains and decaying vegetation. They get all of the water they need from the food they eat. What do you think the perfect mealworm and darkling beetle menu would include?

If you want to keep these mealworms and beetles as pets, you need to create a suitable habitat and provide their basic needs. They need a: clean container and cover with air holes dry wheat bran/flakes or oats for bedding slices of apples or potatoes (replace as they become moldy) empty toilet paper rolls for cover Draw and label a suitable habitat for the mealworm and darkling beetle.

Looking for additional resources for mealworms? Check on these links! http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/product/the- Complete-Mealworm-Activity-Packet-64-total-pages http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/product/a- Collection-of-Mealworm-Stationery-Different-Life- Cycle-Stages